Arkansas State Police Trooper Brenda Gibbons (left) and Cpl. Wilson Short work the newly installed metal detector at the north entrance of the Pope County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon. (THE COURIER / Joshua Mashon)

Pope County Courthouse officials installed a metal detector at the building’s north entrance for people to walk through as a security measure.

In light of the Andrew James Cody first-degree murder trial this week, security measures have been stepped up due to the amount of publicity the case has received, according to Pope County Judge Jim Ed Gibson.

“Sheriff DuVall, Circuit Judge Pearson, prosecuting attorney Gibbons, defense attorneys and I all thought it would be safer to have this in place,” Gibson said. “This trial has had a great deal of publicity since Cody’s bond hearing.

“They wanted to be sure every thing went smooth.”

People who want to enter the courthouse must pass through the metal detector to enter the building, Gibson said. The remaining entrances are used for emergency exits now.

“If you come through the door, you will be checked,” he said. “We have Pope County Sheriff’s deputies and Arkansas State Police (ASP) working together to man the device.

“This is a good opportunity for training. We intend on keeping the courthouse safe.”

The courthouse has implemented the metal detector before, and there are plans to make it a permanent means of security.

“We’ve used it in the past and the metal detector is part of a long-range plan,” Gibson said. “We are working out the details on future use.”

To some, the metal detector protocol may seem less than a convenience, Pope County Sheriff Aaron DuVall said. Installing the metal detector was a joint decision and a good thing to do.

“We are sorry if it causes an inconvenience,” he said. “But, we will use the detector for the duration of the trial. It’s security over inconvenience.

So far, everything has gone well, security wise. Despite the slightly increased time it takes to enter the courthouse, the public seems to be on board, according to DuVall.

“We haven’t had anyone complain,” he said. “People have actually complimented us on the device and, so far, everything is good. We’ve had no situations or incidents.”

DuVall said he appreciated the collaborative efforts of sheriff’s deputies and ASP troopers.

“The State Police and Sheriff’s Office are working together on it, and well,” he said.